Listen: Previewing Texans' preseason opener

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. VA. – The Texan defense went from being the best in terms of yards allowed in 2016 to the worst in points surrendered in 2017.

JJ. Watt and Whitney Mercilus are back, Tyrann Mathieu and Aaron Colvin have been added to the secondary, but the biggest change might be the return of defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel.

Texans beat writer Aaron Wilson joined the "Texas Sports Nation" podcast with me to discuss that and other issues as the Texans are wrapping up their mountain portion of training camp at The Greenbrier.

Wilson says former defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel, who is now the head coach of the Tennessee Titans, might have become a good coordinator in time, but his inexperience showed last season.

Cornerback Aaron Colvin is among the notable newcomers on this year's Texans defense.

Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff photographer / Houston Chronicle

Crennel, who has been on five Super Bowl-winning coaching staffs, has the players' respect.

"He's such a knowledgeable guy with tons of experience, but he's also like a grandfather figure," Watt said. "He has so much wisdom that he can impart on you.

"He's so caring. He cares about his defense, he cares about his guys. He genuinely wants to see every player succeed, and you just feel the love and the passion for the game and for his players. That makes you want to go out there and play even harder for him and make him proud."

In this episode, Wilson also give a breakdown of the Texans' revamped secondary, receiving corps, and offensive line, and shares what he expects to see from the Texans in Thursday's preseason opener at Kansas City, naming several young players fans should keep an eye on in the game.

Jerome grew up in downtown Acres Homes, Texas. He is a proud graduate of Mabel B. Wesley Elementary and was a basketball team captain at Waltrip High School, where he helped the Mighty Rams to a near-.500 record.

A math genius and engineering major in college, he's still working on this writing thing. He says that the three years he spent as an F.M. Black Panther probably played a more significant a role in the man he would become than the time he spent in college.